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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Rosenstiel School
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-361-4850
Fax: 305-361-4755
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.edu

On June 2, 2003 the MRC unanimously recommended approval of the Phase I “River House Loft” project, and supported the necessary related infrastructure improvements.  The UIWG discussed the following infrastructure needs for the project:

• Creating pocket parks at adjacent City owned vacant property at 27 SW North River Drive, and Florida Department of Transportation’s Flagler Bridge Right of Way -  Madeline Valdes, City of Miami Asset Management, stated the City Manager has directed that the City parcel, which is less than 4,500 square feet, be sold to the highest bid of an adjacent property owner, either Mr. Peter Swartz of the River House Lofts or Bay Point School.  Valdes stated the negations for the sale of this City owned property will commence in less than 30 days, and the final sale to the adjacent property owner with the highest bid requires City Commission approval.  Swartz stated he is willing to maintain the City parcel as a publicly accessible greenspace.
• 2-Waying Flagler Street – Mr. Adam Lukin, Downtown Development Authority (DDA) provided the status of two-waying Flagler ST.  The construction documents for the project are complete, funding is allocated (City CIP $6.5 million for streetscape, FDOT $2 million, County $1.25 million) and construction is scheduled to commence in January 2004.  Upon completion, Flagler ST will be two-ways from the Miami River to Biscayne Bay.  Lukin stated the critical path is executing Joint Planning Agreements (JPA) between the City of Miami and the DDA, transferring the $2 million FDOT cost share from the DDA to the City of Miami, a JPA transferring the County’s $1.25 million cost share for traffic signalization to the City of Miami.
• Undergrounding Florida Power and Light (FPL)Utilities  - Peter Swartz stated that FPL has indicated it would be possible to underground the utilities in this area.
• Traffic Circles with Fountains on City Owned North River Drive – As there were no representatives from the City’s Public Works nor Planning Department’s present, the discussion was deferred.

Helen Brown, Miami-Dade County Planning and Zoning Department, provided written comments from County Department Directors on County related Urban Infill Plan Implementation Steps.

The UIWG reviewed the draft “5-year Integrated Budget” and “Annual Update”, required by the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan.  Murley asked for comments and revisions to the drafts be provided prior to the next UIWG meeting.

Under “New Business”, Ms. Dianne Johnson, City of Miami, presented the NEO Lofts Greenway agreement, to be considered by the City Commission as an “Emergency Ordinance” on July 24, 2003.  Johnson stated the City of Miami has offered $250,000 from the “Homeland Security and Neighborhood Improvements Greenway line item” to build an on-road section of the Miami River Greenway on city owned South River Drive, adjacent to the new NEO Lofts development, between SW 1^st and Flagler Streets.  Brett Bibeau, MRC, asked if the proposed south-eastern NEO Greenway terminus could be extended an additional ½ block along City owned South River Drive from SW 1 ST to the existing Jose Marti Park Riverwalk.   Johnson replied that section would not be part of the item for consideration.  Bibeau asked if the proposed project would address the ongoing stormwater flooding issue beneath the SW 1^st ST Bridge, and underground FPL utilities.  Johnson replied that since the stormwater catch basins beneath the SW 1^st ST Bridge had been cleaned, the project would not include any stormwater retrofitting work, nor undergrounding FPL utilities.  Murley found the proposed Miami River Greenway development to be consistent with the Urban Infill Plan, and Dr. Martin found the proposed cross section to be consistent with the Miami River Greenway Action Plan, therefore the MNRC will recommend approval of the City Commission item.  Dr. Martin noted the need to address the precedent of public funding for private Riverwalk sections in the numerous planned riverfront developments, and the need to complete the Miami River Greenway signage design so it may be incorporated in these Greenway development sections. 

The UIWG scheduled their next meeting for August 5, 2003, 10 AM, in the Lummus Park Community Center, 404 NW 3^rd ST (changed to the Miami Riverside Center, 444 SW 2^nd Ave, 8^th Floor).  The agenda will contain a review of the revised draft “5-year Integrated Budget” & “Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan Annual Update”, review of the Major Use Special Permit application for the old Miami News building, and the “Hurricane Cove” workshop between the potential developers & residents (the Hurricane Cove workshop was later rescheduled to August 28, 2003).

The meeting adjourned.

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